Simple Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy

One of the most common played Video Poker games found at online casinos is Jacks or Better. The reason this game is named what it is, is for the simple reason that the pay table begins with a pair of Jacks or Better to win. There are several strategies that have been specifically systematized for winning at the Jacks or Better game. These in most cases supply returns between 99.45% and 99.55%.

What this means in general terms is that the players who follow suit with the best strategy can expect the do a little better by .10 for every $100.00 that is wagered as compared to the players who follow the weaker strategies. With this being said it makes a little more sense to avoid remembering the more complex rules and follow the easy to follow steps including the simple strategies, especially for the rookie players.

The beginning point of the outlines for the simple strategies steps to be taken into consideration when the player is holding a certain number of cards to possible Royal Flush. If the player is holding four cards to a Royal Flush then the fifth card must be discarded even if it is contributing to a winning combination. A prime example is if the player’s hand includes a Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen and a King of hearts, the player must then break the straight flush and discard the Nine. Now since the player is holding three cards to a possible Royal Flush, then in such a state the player has to pay attention to the playing combinations and hold onto the winning combinations.

For example if he/she holds three, ten, Jack and Queen of hearts and Queen of spades he should hold onto the two Queens and discard the remaining cards. If the player is holding three cards to a royal flush in such a manner that he/she does not have a paying combination, then they should hold on to the three cards to the potential royal flush. For example if he/she holds three, ten, Jack and Queen of hearts and three of spades they should hold the ten, Jack and Queen of hearts and discard all of the remaining cards.

The final part of the simple strategy compromises with the hands that do not have any payout combinations. These hands are also called unmade hands. With these players should hold onto cards that make the combinations in descending order: four to a royal flush, four to a straight flush, three to a royal flush, four to a flush, low pairs, four to a straight, three to a straight flush, two to a royal flush, two unpaired cards higher than Jack and one card higher than Jack. The low pairs consist of tens or lower, which are not included on the Jacks or Better payout table. If for some reason none of these combinations can be made then it would be wise to discard all five cards.

The last word of advice to Jacks or Better player’s is to try and never break the winning hand, with the exception of two scenarios. The first scenario has already been addressed in the part of the strategy that discusses four cards to a royal flush. The second allowance would be that four cards to a straight flush is desirable over a Jacks or Better pair. This strategic move is based on the likelihood of getting better paying combinations starting from the cards that are to be retained and on the payouts of those paying combinations.